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Brazil to pay debt to multilateral organizations in 2023
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Colombia gov't to send labor reform to Congress
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U.S. lawmakers to visit Mexico to discuss immigration, security
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Argentina February inflation data "very bad"
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March 16 (Reuters) -
The latest in Latin American politics today:
El Salvador Congress extends year-long anti-gang crackdown
SAN SALVADOR - El Salvador's Congress passed yet another extension suspending some constitutional rights amid the Central American country's year-long crackdown against gangs. The emergency powers temporarily allow arrests without warrants, government access to private communications and detentions without the right to a lawyer. El Salvador has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Last month, it opened a 40,000-person prison to relieve overpopulation as the crackdown is expected to continue.
Brazil to pay debt to multilateral organizations in 2023
BRASILIA - Brazil's government will pay outstanding debts of 2.6 billion reais ($490.6 million) to multilateral organizations in 2023, reinforcing its commitment to global forums, the Planning Ministry said on Thursday. The amount corresponds to debts to "various organizations" inherited from former President Jair Bolsonaro's administration, which leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will settle.
Colombia gov't to send labor reform to Congress that would cut working hours
BOGOTA - Colombia's government is expected to present a labor reform bill to Congress on Thursday that would reduce working hours and boost overtime pay but critics say the measures could hurt job creation. The bill is part of a raft of reforms being pushed by President Gustavo Petro, the country's first leftist leader, as he looks to fight poverty.
U.S. lawmakers to visit Mexico to discuss immigration,
security
MEXICO CITY - Representatives and senators from the United States will visit the Mexican Gulf state of Veracruz this weekend to discuss immigration and security, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday. "We're going to have a meeting in Veracruz, we'll discuss immigration (and) the handling of security," Lopez Obrador told a regular government news conference.
Argentina February inflation data "very bad": government spokesperson
BUENOS AIRES - The Argentine government on Thursday said annual inflation data registered in February, the highest since 1991, was "very bad," but insisted that the 60% inflation rate forecast in this year's budget would be met, the president's spokesperson said. President Alberto Fernandez has struggled to rein in one of the world's highest inflation rates that has put increasing pressure on Argentine consumers. The latest data shows the government falling behind its targets for the year as key October elections approach when the ruling Peronist government will try to hold on to power. (Compiled by Steven Grattan)
